WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – The University of Hartford women's basketball team will be holding its first annual OMS Awareness Game on Sunday, Jan. 24, 2016, in a 12 noon tip against the New Hampshire Wildcats at the Reich Family Pavilion. As part of their initiative to raise awareness about OMS, the Hawks will be holding a teddy bear drive on Sunday.

Last season, the Hartford women's basketball team drafted Zoe Brown, a seven-year old who was diagnosed with Opsoclonus Myoclonus Syndrome (OMS). Zoe, who lives in Bristol, Conn., was partnered with the team through Team IMPACT, a Massachusetts-based program that pairs children with life threatening illnesses or life-altering chronic conditions with athletic teams.

All fans are encouraged to bring a new teddy bear to Sunday's game. Teddy bears will also be available for all fans to purchase on Sunday at the Flight Zone table for $2. During halftime, fans will have the opportunity to toss their teddy bears on to the court for a chance to win a giant teddy bear.

All bears collected that day will be donated to children in the local community, while all proceeds collected at the Flight Zone table will be donated to the OMSLife Foundation.

Founded by Michael Michaelis, the OMSLife Foundation's mission is to spread awareness for OMS, maintain a support network for caregivers and fund research for a cure. The symbol chosen to represent the OMSLife Foundation is a teddy bear holding a blue and yellow ribbon. In support of the OMSLife Foundation – and to raise awareness for the rare genetic disease – the Hawks' women's basketball team will be collecting teddy bears during Sunday's game.